Llangollen Railway branch line gala: April 10-12 2026

Visiting small prairie No. 4555 from Dartmouth Steam Railway / East Somerset Railway set to headline, with 7754, 3802 and the final running days for D9525.

A further guest also being discussed. Some big competition with the ELR the same weekend; I suspect many people (myself included) will be going between the two.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HTmAPBnEA/

https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/upcoming-events/

 

I shall be attending Llangollen as it has stunning scenery with very decent pubs a short walk from each station.

https://berwynarms.co.uk/

https://thegrouseinncarrog.co.uk/

 

Second Guest Locomotive Confirmed for Branch Line Gala 2026

We’re delighted to announce GWR pannier tank No. 1369 as the second visiting locomotive for our Branch Line Gala, taking place from 10–12 April 2026.

Built at Swindon in 1934, No. 1369 is the sole surviving member of its class, designed for lighter branch line work and later famed for its final years on the Wenford China Clay branch. Now based at the South Devon Railway, this will be its first-ever visit to Llangollen.

It joins a fantastic line-up including Small Prairie 4555, the final running days of Class 14 D9525, and our home fleet favourites, making five Swindon-built locomotives in action over the weekend.

Tickets are selling well – book now

https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/branchline-gala/

Three days of intensive services, classic branch line atmosphere and something special around every corner

 

There will be a short goods set out each day during this event, which will be great to see.

Also been confirmed through charter organisers that 4555 will face Llangollen. Timetable expected soon.

 

Timetable now published, hopefully the link works:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C5Tsa3Cak/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

PDF also attached to this post for those that don't do FB (ones tailored to each day are also available). I'd imagine a copy will be available on the site too.

 

I notice on the online booking form that there are over 700 tickets available for kayaks - I think the trains might be a bit full if they sell all of those.

 

Seems there's no division for people v kayaks - seems to be same number of tickets for all categories, so anyone with four kayaks can book a table for four

A reply to a comment on FB has also pointed out 7754 will return from Cranmore facing East (i.e into Llangollen) which will make for a few different photographs.

 

The Llangollen Railway's Facebook page is advertising a connecting bus from Ruabon. There currently isn't any times yet.

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Bus timetable attached.
There will be a gala booklet this year again (currently working on that) which will contain all relevant timetable and information for the weekend inside too.

 

4555 On Photo Charter Duties on Tuesday looking the part on 2 Subs in gorgeous Spring sunshine that felt like summer during the afternoon.




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Lovely weather today and quite busy but comfortable. Timetable had slipped from early on with the 1005 from Llangollen having to wait at Goods Jnct for the late running goods. Dep from jnct was at 1022 - 14 late. A few odd minutes lost elsewhere.

The 1305 from Llangollen to Glyndyfrdwy held for the late running 1259 arrival - could have passed at gds jnct which would have saved a few minutes. Departed 19 late. Had intended to cross over at Glyn onto the Teddy Bear - a 4 min connection on the timetable, however this hadn't been held.

Glitch in the timetable then came to light as the 1320 ex Llangollen shod have arrived before 4555 headed back on the 1345, however both appear to be booked in the same platform, plus the 1320 was due to pass gds jnct 3 mins before the previous service had cleared the section. This resulted in the delayed 1345 being sent back first passing the 1320 at gds jnct - this service ending up around 50 mins late. Obviously knock on effects for the rest of the day now, but one to be aware of for those may be planning swaps or have bus connections etc to make as the tt is the same for Sat and Sun. I believe the afternoon goods had already been caped.

Just left Llan right time on the 1435 behind the 45 and 57, but now being held at gds jnct to pass the 13 - anybody on that who planned to swap onto the double-header at Llan will miss out unless they have bailed early at Berwyn.

Still a pleasant day, but glad I'm not dependant on making any bus connections back to Ruabon this afternoon.

Edit. 1435 away from gds jnct 18 late after waiting for 1369 to pass.

 

Lovely day at the gala. For anyone coming over the weekend, be warned that Set V (Brake Vans and Pigeon Van) does have rather limited capacity, particularly with the brake vans.

 

Yes, I was on the 10:05. And enjoying a beer* at Glyndyfrdwy as the Brakevan train departed towards Llangollen. Late running trains meant a longish wait at Glyn for the next train to Llang, but there are worse places to wait. Classic bus ride back to Ruabon was a nice bonus too. Overall a very nice day out.

* Only bottled beer, but a good selection to choose from.

 

Not helped by passengers not being allowed on the middle van or the Llangollen end brake van. And the Corwen end van can only take passengers when it is the leading van (Guess they don't want the Guard distracted by passengers).

 

Arrived this morning to find the Class 14 replaced by the Class 26, no idea of the reason for the change. 0910 departing from Plat 2 vice the advertised platform 1, the only notice I saw mentioning this was actually on platform 2, however a pa announcement was made just after 0900. Boarded the last coach ready for the return run but at 0905 those of us in this vehicle were asked to alight and move forward as the coach was being locked out (presumably due to train / platform lengths maybe, but if so why even unlock it). Notice on plat 2 also states 1305 from Llan cancelled. 0910 departed 12 late at 0922.

 

Looks like the 1035 will be double headed with 4555 and D9525.

The 1005 is still at Llangollen. EDIT now leaving 24 late.

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Couple of minor issues this morning with 1369 and D9525. 4555 replaced the 1369 on the goods, then 1369 works its own diagram from the 1135 departure onwards. D5310 covered for D9525 for the first run of the day, D9525 covers its own diagram from the delayed 1212 departure.

Stock in wrong platform at the start as a defect was found on the crimson and cream BSK so that was shunted out by putting set B and C on 2.

The delay has been caused by a guard being taken ill, so the goods train guard had to take over set A after working the goods back.

 

An enjoyable day at the Llangollen for the branchline gala. Thanks to those who organised it. Great couple of guests in the form of the GWR Pannier & Prairie. Timetable slips are part of the course however & can be appreciated.

Poor by the railway however not keeping the booked connection between the 16:23 arrival at Llangollen & the last departure of the day behind 4555, down to depart at 16:35. Instead choosing to pass them at Goods Junction. An announcement at Berwyn wouldn’t have gone amiss.

 

My first visit to the Llangollen since 2009 and my first gala event on the line, and it was enjoyable though at times frustrating to say the least.

As has been said earlier in the thread, some trains weren't being held for late running crossovers and being passed at alternate locations, which on multiple occasions seemed to catch people out. Myself and a friend were stood at Carrog yesterday afternoon awaiting the arrival of 3802 to pass D9525 with its train back towards Glyn when the signalman suddenly appeared with a token heading over to the other platform. Since we didn't have time to go back to the bridge to cross over, the signalman kindly escorted us across the barrow crossing so we could join the service, otherwise we'd have missed it. It seems this sort of thing happened multiple times. I can understand the want to get back towards being on time, but a quick announcement or whip round any passengers that may wish to board a train that's not waiting for a timetabled cross wouldn't go amiss.

And I don't want to sound like I'm just moaning about this event, but my other issue, as has also been mentioned above, was the use of set V and the brake van train. Given the limited accommodation, which is even more limited when at times three of the vehicles can't be used by the public, it seemed like a strange choice for use as a set. The use of a DMU (crew/availability permitting of course) would've seemed like a more sensible option, certainly in terms of passenger occupancy. With each of the vans in use having an occupancy of 10 each, it does somewhat limit how many can board. It did result in a somewhat farcical scene at Glyn this afternoon, when since the 1345 departure had been cancelled, an extra number of people wished to board the sunshine coach as the vans had no more room. Despite the efforts of staff trying to move people down into the standing space in the Corwen end of the coach, people simply refused to move due to "not being able to hold onto anything", with one very vocal passenger shouting "how can you guarantee our safety?!", resulting in passengers being left behind to wait for the next service towards Llangollen. While I do appreciate the novelty of the brake van train, its use for the entire day when (as I say, crew/availability permitting) a DMU is available to use and in keeping with the theme of the event, seems short sighted.

Aside from these two issues, which admittedly I've gone on at length about (and the somewhat all over the place weather today but not a lot anyone can do about that!), it was an enjoyable couple of days, the staff I spoke to were friendly, the trains were well presented (the goods train looked very nice behind 4555 this morning), and from what I've seen of other people's visits in the past, the chance to see not one but two locos facing Llangollen and opening up other photo opportunities was a welcome sight to see. A few issues to iron out, but otherwise an event I hope to be able attend again in the future.